Re: tumbling dice
Date: March 16, 2006 16:54
OFFICIAL RESULT:-
1600 - Coral Cup Hurdle (2m 5f)
1. Idole First (A O'Keeffe) 33-1
2. Dancing Bay (M A FitzGerald) 14-1
3. Tumbling Dice (B Geraghty) 16-1
4. Covent Garden (A Dobbin)14-1
5. After Eight (S Thomas) 33-1
29 ran. Dist: 5,6
Jockey Alan O'Keeffe claimed his first Festival winner when the 33-1 chance Idole First finished strongly up the Cheltenham hill to take the Coral Cup.
O'Keeffe dug in deep in the closing stages on the Venetia Williams-trained six-year-old to hold off the brave challenge of Mick FitzGerald on Dancing Bay.
There was disappointment for Sharp Rigging, who fell at the second last while challenging, sending jockey Jimmy McCarthy to the ground.
Well-backed favourite Distant Prospect, who went off at 100-30, never figured in the final shake-up and was down the field.